LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — June 30 is the deadline to apply for cash awards including a first prize of $20,000 in the “Hands Up Lake County, 2021” small business competition.
A total of $50,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to five local small businesses that compete in this year’s competition with prizes ranging from $4,000 to $20,000. Startups and small businesses are encouraged to apply.
This is the second year the nonprofit, 1Team 1Dream, has featured the project to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners. The goal of the nonprofit is to improve the struggling Lake County economy, one small business at a time.
The idea for the competition is the brainchild of Maryann Schmid, a local business woman who knows what it is to work hard to achieve success. Peter and Maryann Schmid own and operate the now thriving “Lodge At Blue Lakes,” in Upper Lake.
“It wasn’t always this way and it didn’t happen overnight, the place was in a sad state of disrepair when we discovered it,” said Maryann Schmid. “We had a dream — a vision and a plan to get there. It took two years of very hard physical labor and sleepless nights filled with the next day's work list before we could open for business, but we never gave up. We worked our plan, made adjustments along the way and today, we are living the dream.”
That spirit, along with a commitment to a plan for success is, in large part, what the judges will be evaluating in the competition.
“We’re also looking for the business model that takes into account the ups and downs of a sometimes fragile and unpredictable market,” said Laurie Dohring, one of last year's judges. “It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t because the businesses selected to proceed will get help.”
Preparing for the competition begins with a one-day workshop. Selected applicants participate in this training and a “mini” competition from which the finalists are selected.
Finalists will receive personalized coaching and training to prepare their “pitch” to business leaders who will judge the competition and make the final decisions.
“It’s what sets this business competition apart from others — the investment in the applicants. Win or lose, the idea is to learn the basics of creating a strong, sustainable business model,” said Dohring.
This year’s business competition is possible through the support of several donors who see the value of investing in local small businesses.
“We are thankful to our major sponsors who will present the cash awards at the final competition and gala on Dec. 12, including the city of Clearlake, The Lodge At Blue Lakes, Foods, Etc., the city of Lakeport and Lake County Tribal Health,” said co-founder Olga Steele.
"Last year we distributed $28,250 to six small businesses with prizes ranging from $15,000 to $1,000. Despite the challenge of a pandemic, our first business competition was a smashing success,” said Steele.
This year the stakes are higher with prizes of $20,000, $12,000, $8,000, $6,000 and $4,000, Steele said.
Any local startup or small business is eligible to apply, including last year's applicants, except the 2020 winners.
The online application can be found at https://1team1dream.net/. Questions can be submitted via the contact section on the site or by calling Steele at 916-849-8170.
Deadline for small business competition is June 30
- Lake County News reports
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